Venezuela Standoff Signals Aggressive US Hemisphere Strategy
The US has put together its biggest military presence in the Caribbean since the Cold War. So, Washington is ready to show that it is in charge of the whole Western Hemisphere.
The plan seems to be to put pressure on Nicolás Maduro to give up power because of the growing military threats. But history shows that threats alone don’t often make long-term leaders leave their positions.
Ukraine War Enters Critical Fifth Year Without Resolution
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is almost five years old, and there hasn’t been a clear breakthrough on the battlefield yet. As a result, both Moscow and Kyiv are facing fatigue and the need to rethink their strategies.
Even though he has lost a lot of ground, Vladimir Putin keeps pushing forward. Ukraine depends a lot on military and economic help from the West. So, decisions made in Washington may be more important than movements on the front lines.
Taiwan Question Tests US-China Strategic Ambiguity
Taiwan is at the center of a growing rivalry between Washington and Beijing. As a result, long-standing strategic ambiguity is under more stress than ever before.
Donald Trump approved record arms sales, but he seems open to changing how power is shared in the region. Because of this, Taipei is keeping a close eye on the talks with Xi Jinping that are coming up.
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Israel Elections May Reshape Regional Diplomacy Prospects
Israel’s military victories have not led to long-term diplomatic stability. As a result, political divisions at home now put strategic gains at risk.
Benjamin Netanyahu is the leader of a weak coalition that will have to hold elections by the end of 2026. So, outcomes may affect the chances of more regional normalization agreements.
Iran Weakness Creates Volatile Risks and Uncertainty
Iran is weaker militarily, economically, and politically as it enters 2026 after major setbacks in the region. As a result, the risks of both internal instability and external conflict go up at the same time.
Younger Iranians are becoming more unhappy with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who is unsure about who will take over after him. Because of this, Tehran may go back and forth between being careful and acting without thinking.
Terrorism Resurges Amid Shifting Global Priorities
After years of relative decline, terrorism is once again a major threat to global security. So, being complacent after stories about competition between great powers is dangerous.
Since 2022, attacks connected to extremist networks have become more common around the world. So, it is still important for countries to work together again to stop new transnational threats from growing.
Artificial Intelligence Accelerates Strategic Global Competition
Artificial intelligence has quickly become a major area of political competition. As a result, technological leadership now directly affects national power and safety.
China’s progress in AI challenges the idea that the US is the most powerful country, but energy and infrastructure problems make expansion harder. In the end, AI’s path will change the way the world works far beyond 2026.
